Fluid absorbent tape

ABSTRACT

A method for controlling the flow of a fluid on a surface. In some embodiments, the method includes providing a fluid absorbent tape that includes an absorbent material, a fluid permeable cover enclosing the absorbent material to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape, and a separating structure that is formed in a transverse direction across the elongated fluid absorbent tape and the absorbent material. The separating structure divides the elongated tape into first and second sections. The first section of fluid absorbent tape is separable from the second section of fluid absorbent tape along the separating structure. Also in some embodiments, the method further includes separating a desired length of the first section of fluid absorbent tape from the second section at said separating structure, placing the first section on the surface, and contacting the first section with the fluid to be controlled so that the absorbent material forms a physical barrier to the flow of fluid.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10/818,779filed on 6 Apr. 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,618,402.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to fluid absorbent tape, and in particular to anelongated fluid absorbent tape including absorbent material forcontrolling the flow of fluid on a surface.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

When a floor finish is stripped from a floor, an aqueous strippingsolution is often applied to the floor. Because the floors in manybuildings are rarely perfectly level, the stripping solution will flowto low points in the floor. Unfortunately, the low points are not alwaysconveniently within the area being stripped. As a result, the strippingsolution will flow outside of the area being stripped, under doors,fixtures, furniture, display shelves, or off the floor onto adjacentsurfaces, such as carpeting. This can cause unnecessary additional workrefinishing adjacent areas, damage to fixtures, such as severe rusting,or permanent damage to the adjacent surfaces, such as discoloration ofcarpeting. Additionally, when the bulk of the stripping solution isremoved from the floor and a new finish is applied, the strippingsolution that had flowed underneath the fixtures, furniture, and displayshelves, can seep back out onto the new finish, causing additionalrepair work or unsightly damage to the new finish.

The current practices are to do nothing to control the flow of strippingmaterial and repair the damage as it occurs, or to use plastic sheetsand masking tape to seal off edges of the surface being stripped.Sealing the edges of the surface being stripped is problematic in thatit is time consuming, difficult because the worker must bend over orcrawl along the floor on hands and knees, and irregularities in thefloor or taping process cause leaks and gaps that the stripping solutioncan flow through. Although spill absorbent pads or pigs are available,they are provided in only fixed lengths and are typically too expensiveto use over a large area. Accordingly, a need exists for a fluidabsorbent tape that is easy to use and is customizable for differentsized areas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a fluid absorbent tape that is dividedinto sections. The sections can be separated to customize the length ofthe tape and simplify use. In one embodiment of the invention, the fluidabsorbent tape includes an absorbent material enclosed in a fluidpermeable cover to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape. Separatingstructure formed in a transverse direction through the elongated fluidabsorbent tape divides the elongated tape into a first section of fluidabsorbent tape and a second section of fluid absorbent tape. The firstsection of fluid absorbent tape is separable from the second section offluid absorbent tape along the separating structure. In anotherembodiment of the invention, the fluid absorbent tape includes a fluidabsorbent material including a super absorbent polymer. An elongatedfluid permeable cover having a length encloses the fluid absorbentmaterial, and is divided into sections along the length. Each of thesections have closed ends to inhibit the fluid absorbent material fromfalling out of the sections through the ends.

A general objective of the present invention is to provide a fluidabsorbent tape that has a customizable length. This objective isaccomplished by dividing the fluid absorbent tape into sections.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fluidabsorbent tape that is customizable and is easy to use. This objectiveis accomplished in one embodiment of the invention by dividing the fluidabsorbent tape into sections using separating structure which simplifiesshortening the fluid absorbent tape to a desired shortened length.

Yet another objective of the present application is to provide a fluidabsorbent tape that is customizable and does not create additional work.This objective is accomplished in one embodiment of the invention bydividing the fluid absorbent tape into sections and closing the ends ofthe sections, such that absorbent material does not fall out of thesection ends.

The foregoing and other objectives and advantages of the invention willappear from the following description. In the description, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in whichthere is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of theinvention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scopeof the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claimsherein for interpreting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a fluid absorbent tape incorporating thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a fluid absorbenttape incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a fluid absorbenttape incorporating the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A fluid absorbent tape 10, shown in FIGS. 1-3, for use in controllingthe flow of fluid on a surface includes an absorbent material 12enclosed in a fluid permeable cover 14. The tape 10 has an elongatedlength that extends between tape ends 16 and a width that extendstransversely between longitudinal edges 18, 20. In a preferredembodiment, the length is divided into sections 22, 24, 26 by separatingstructure 28 extending transversely between the longitudinal edges 18,20 that allows a user to easily select a desired shortened length of thetape 10 for controlling the flow of a fluid on the surface. Theshortened length of the tape 10 is selected by separating adjacentsections 24, 26 corresponding to the desired shortened length.

The absorbent material 12 is preferably, a super absorbent polymer(SAP), such as polyacrylate absorbents, which is commercially availableand can absorb many times its own weight of an aqueous fluid. Theabsorbent material 12 can be in any form, such a fibrous, granular,powder, gel, and the like without departing from the scope of theinvention. Moreover, if the absorbent material 12 is provided in agranular or powder form, the powder or grains can be enclosed in smallfluid permeable or soluble pillows or packets that can expand or ruptureas the absorbent material 12 expands upon absorption of a fluid.Although an absorbent material for absorbing aqueous fluids, such as SAPis preferred, any suitable absorbent material can be absorb the fluidbeing controlled, such as clay, sponge material, petroleum absorbentmaterial, and the like, can be used without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

The absorbent material 12 is enclosed within the elongated fluidpermeable cover 14, such as formed from a non-woven fabric. The cover 14allows fluid to flow therethrough and be absorbed by the absorbentmaterial 12. Preferably, indicia, such as the word “Caution”, icons, andthe like, is printed on the cover to warn pedestrians of fluid on thesurface that is being controlled by the absorbent tape 10. Moreover,although a fluid permeable cover 14 formed from a non-woven fabric ispreferred, the cover 14 can be formed from any suitable material, suchas a woven fabric, a fluid impermeable material, such as plastic, havingholes formed therethrough, and the like, which allows fluid to passtherethrough without degrading in a fluid environment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cover 14 is formed from an elongated strip of anon-woven fabric having longitudinal edges 32, 34 extendingsubstantially parallel to a longitudinal fold line 36 (best shown inFIG. 1). The strip is folded over the absorbent material 12 about thelongitudinal fold line 36, and the longitudinal edges 32, 34 of thestrip are joined together, such as by thermal welding, sonic welding,adhesives, and the like, to define an inner volume 38 containing theabsorbent material 12. Of course, the cover 14 can be formed in otherways known in the art, such as by joining longitudinal edges of twofacing strips of fluid permeable material, forming an elongatedcylindrical sleeve from a fluid permeable material, and the like.

The inner volume 38 of the cover 14 is sized to allow the absorbentmaterial 12 to expand as the absorbent material 12 becomes saturatedwith a fluid without causing the cover 14 to rupture. This can beaccomplished by providing an inner volume 38 that is greater than thevolume of the saturated absorbent material. Of course other methods thatallow a volume to expand, such as by forming pleats in the cover,forming the cover from a fluid permeable expandable material, and thelike can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, the elongated fluid absorbent tape 10 isdivided into the joined sections 22, 24, 26 having an end to endrelation by the separating structure 28 which allows the absorbent tape10 to be easily shortened to a desired length. Although only threesections 22, 24, 26 are shown, the fluid absorbent tape 10 can have anynumber of sections without departing from the scope of the invention.Preferably, the separating structure 28 is a plurality of perforationsthat extend between the longitudinal edges 18, 20 of the tape 10 whichallow the sections 22, 24, 26 to be separated without tools. Mostpreferably, the separating structure 28 is formed in the tape 10 atregular intervals, such as every foot, to form sections in an end to endrelation of a constant length along the length of the tape 10. Althoughperforations are a preferred separating structure 28 because they aresmall and easy to form, other structure, such as slits formedintermittingly through the tape between sections, cuts formed only inthe longitudinal edges of the tape, holes formed between sections, andthe like, can be used to define sections and allow a user to easilyselect a desired shortened length of the tape for controlling the flowof a fluid on a surface.

Each section 22, 24, 26 of the tape 10 includes ends 42, 44 defined bythe separating structure 28. Each end 42, 44 of each section 22, 24, 26is preferably closed to inhibit the absorbent material 12 from fallingout of the section 22, 24, 26 through the ends 42, 44. Preferably, theends 42, 44 are closed by sonically or thermally welding the cover 14together adjacent to, or across, the separating structure 28. Of courseother methods known in the art for joining material together, such asadhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like, can be used to close theends 42, 44 of each section 22, 24, 26 without departing from the scopeof the invention. Moreover, if separating structure 28 is not provided,the sections 22, 24, 26 can be defined by the closed ends 42, 44 of eachsection 22, 24, 26. Of course, if separating structure 28 is notprovided, tools, such as a scissors, knife, and the like, may berequired to separate the sections 24, 26 corresponding to the desiredshortened length of the fluid absorbent tape 10.

The degree of closure of the section ends 42, 44 is dependent upon theparticular absorbent material 12 being used. For example, if theabsorbent material 12 is in the form of intermeshed fibers, merelytacking the cover 14 at one or more points between the tape edges 18,20, such the absorbent material does not fall out may be preferred.However, if the absorbent material 12 is in powder form, sealing theends 42, 44 across the entire width of the tape 10 may be preferred.Each section end 42, 44, however, does not need to be closed across theentire width of the section 22, 24, 26, such that the ends 42, 44 aresealed and no absorbent material 12 will fall out of the closed ends 42,44, to fall within the scope of the invention.

A releasable adhesive 48 can be provided along the length of the fluidabsorbent tape 10 to hold the tape 10 in place on a surface and act asan initial fluid barrier. The adhesive 48 can be applied directly to thecover 14 and covered by a release liner 50 that is removed prior to use.The adhesive 48 can be applied to a portion of each section 22, 24, 26to avoid having the release liner 50 extend between sections 22, 24, 26.Alternatively, the release liner 50 can include separating structurealigned with the separating structure 28 formed in the fluid absorbenttape 10. The fluid absorbent tape 10 can also be fixed to the surfaceusing a double-sided adhesive tape adhesively bonded to the cover 14with a release liner covering the outwardly facing side of the doublesided tape without departing from the scope of the invention.

Advantageously, the fluid absorbent tape 10 can be provided in anylength, such as a 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 feet, in the form of a roll oraccordion folded in a box for easy storage and shipping. Only the lengthof fluid absorbent tape 10 required to control the fluid on the surfaceis removed from the box or unrolled from the roll.

In use, the fluid absorbent tape 10 is removed from the box, or unrolledfrom the roll, and the adjacent sections 22, 24 of the fluid absorbenttape corresponding to the desired length of fluid absorbent tape areseparated. The unused fluid absorbent tape sections 26 remain joined andin the box or on the roll for future use. Once the desired length of thefluid absorbent tape 10 has been determined and separated from theremaining fluid absorbent tape 10, the shortened length of tape 10 isplaced on the surface adjacent to the surfaces that are being protectedfrom the fluid.

When the fluid, such as a stripping solution, comes in contact with thefluid absorbent tape 10, the fluid passes through the cover 14 and isabsorbed by the absorbent material 12. Advantageously, absorbentmaterial 12, such as SAP can also swell considerably to form a physicalbarrier to a large flow of fluid, such as occurs while a user isspreading a stripping solution or pouring stripping solution onto afloor.

Placing the fluid absorbent tape 10 adjacent to the surface beingprotected and directly onto the surface containing the fluid protectsthe adjacent surface, and when stripping a floor with a strippingsolution, the fluid absorbent tape 10 allows the stripping solution tocontact the surface immediately under the fluid absorbent tape 10, thusavoiding the necessity of putting stripping solution on that area of thesurface and eliminating the risk of the stripping solution flowing ontothe protected adjacent surface.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, where the same referencenumbers are used to designate the same components as in the firstembodiment, the absorbent material 12 extends across the separatingstructure 28 along the longitudinal edges 18, 20 of a fluid absorbenttape 110. A central portion 54 of the tape 110 spaced inwardly from thelongitudinal edges 18, 20 and extending across the separating structure28 is devoid of absorbent material 12 in order to close the ends 42, 44of the sections 22, 24, 26 by directly joining only a small portion thecover 14 together. Advantageously, this provides absorbent material 12across the separating structure 28 to minimize the flow of fluid pastthe fluid absorbent tape 110 between adjacent sections 22, 24, 26.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6, where the same reference numbersare used to designate the same components as in the first embodiment, afluid impermeable strip 60 of material, such as plastic, is joined tothe cover 14, such as by an adhesive, welding, and the like, along thelength of a fluid absorbent tape 210. The fluid impermeable strip 60 canbe laid over a surface, such as carpeting or a wall, adjacent to thesurface having fluid thereon to protect the adjacent surface fromsplashing or overspray. A releasable adhesive 62 can be used to adherethe fluid impermeable strip 60 to the adjacent surface to ensure theadjacent surface remains covered.

As disclosed above, the fluid absorbent tape 10, 110, 210 can be used tocontrol the flow of fluid on a surface, such as a stripping solution ona floor. The fluid absorbent tape 10, 110, 210 however, can be used forcontrolling any fluids that are absorbable by the absorbent material,such as condensation, from windows, drainage from refrigeration units,cleaning solutions, large spills of any type, and the like, withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

While there has been shown and described what is at present consideredthe preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madetherein without departing from the scope of the invention defined by theappended claims.

1. A method for controlling the flow of a fluid on a surface comprising:providing a fluid absorbent tape, said tape comprising an absorbentmaterial; a fluid permeable cover enclosing said absorbent material toform an elongated fluid absorbent tape in which the absorbent materialis disposed between upper and lower portions of the fluid permeablecover; a separating structure formed in a transverse direction acrosssaid elongated fluid absorbent tape, said separating structure dividingsaid elongated tape into a first section of fluid absorbent tape and asecond section of fluid absorbent tape, wherein said first section offluid absorbent tape is separable from said second section of fluidabsorbent tape along said separating structure; separating a desiredlength of the first section of fluid absorbent tape from the secondsection at said separating structure; placing said first section on thesurface; and contacting said first section with the fluid to becontrolled, whereby said absorbent material forms a physical barrier tothe flow of the fluid.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the separatingstructure defines an end of each of said first and second sections ofsaid fluid absorbent tape, and at least one end of said first and secondsections is closed.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said absorbentmaterial extends across said separating structure between said firstsection of said fluid absorbent tape and said second section of saidfluid absorbent tape.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said separatingstructure is a plurality of perforations formed in cover.
 5. The methodof claim 2 wherein a plurality of separating structure is formed in saidfluid absorbent tape, said separating structure of said plurality ofseparating structure being formed across said width of said fluidabsorbent tape and spaced along said length of said fluid absorbent tapeto form a plurality of sections joined in an end to end relation.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 wherein said separating structure is formed at regularintervals along said length of said tape.
 7. The method of claim 2wherein said absorbent material is a super absorbent polymer.
 8. Themethod of claim 2 wherein said fluid permeable cover is formed from anelongated strip of fluid permeable material having longitudinal edgesextending substantially parallel to a longitudinal fold line, whereinsaid strip is folded over said absorbent material about the longitudinalfold line, and said longitudinal edges of said strip are joinedtogether.
 9. The method of claim 2 wherein said fluid absorbent tape isfixable to a surface.
 10. The method of claim 2 wherein the tapeincludes a fluid impermeable strip of material for protecting a surfaceadjacent to the tape such that the fluid does not flow onto saidadjacent surface.
 11. The method of claim 2 wherein the fluid absorbenttape allows the fluid to contact the surface immediately under the fluidabsorbent tape.
 12. A method for controlling the flow of a fluid on asurface comprising: providing a fluid absorbent tape having a fluidpermeable cover and a plurality of sections divided by closed ends andjoined in an end-to-end relation by separating structure formed in atransverse direction through the fluid absorbent tape to form anelongated tape, each of said sections including an absorbent materialdisposed between upper and lower portions of the fluid permeable cover;separating a desired number of sections of said tape from the remainingsections of said tape along the separating structure; placing saiddesired number of sections of said tape on the surface; and contactingsaid desired number of sections of said tape with the fluid to becontrolled, whereby said absorbent material forms a physical barrier tothe flow of the fluid.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein saidseparating structure is a plurality of perforations formed in cover. 14.The method of claim 12 wherein the separating structure is formed acrosssaid width of the fluid absorbent tape.
 15. The method of claim 12wherein the absorbent material is a super absorbent polymer.
 16. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the fluid permeable cover is formed from anelongated strip of fluid permeable material having longitudinal edgesextending substantially parallel to a longitudinal fold line, whereinsaid strip is folded over said absorbent material about the longitudinalfold line, and said longitudinal edges of said strip are joinedtogether.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein said fluid absorbent tapeis fixable to a surface.
 18. The method of claim 12 wherein the tapeincludes a fluid impermeable strip of material for protecting a surfaceadjacent to the tape such that the fluid does not flow onto saidadjacent surface.
 19. The method of claim 12 wherein the fluid absorbenttape allows the fluid to contact the surface immediately under the fluidabsorbent tape.
 20. A method for controlling the flow of a fluid on asurface comprising: providing a fluid absorbent tape, said tapecomprising an absorbent material; a fluid permeable cover enclosing saidabsorbent material to form an elongated fluid absorbent tape, the fluidpermeable cover formed from an elongated strip of fluid permeablematerial having longitudinal edges extending substantially parallel to alongitudinal fold line, the elongated strip folded over said absorbentmaterial about the longitudinal fold line and said longitudinal edges ofsaid elongated strip joined together; a separating structure formed in atransverse direction across said elongated fluid absorbent tape, saidseparating structure dividing said elongated tape into a first sectionof fluid absorbent tape and a second section of fluid absorbent tape,wherein said first section of fluid absorbent tape is separable fromsaid second section of fluid absorbent tape along said separatingstructure, the separating structure defining an end of each of the firstand second sections of the fluid absorbent tape, and at least one end ofthe first and second sections being closed; separating a desired lengthof the first section of fluid absorbent tape from the second section atsaid separating structure; placing said first section on the surface;and contacting said first section with the fluid to be controlled,whereby said absorbent material forms a physical barrier to the flow ofthe fluid.